CANBERRA, Australia, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Australian defense officials are close to finalizing arrangements for the purchase of 24 F/A-18F jet fighters from the United States.
The planes are expected to enter service with the Royal Australian Air Force from 2009-2010 and would provide air defense following retirement of the country's F-111 fighters and later acquisition of Joint Strike Fighters now under development.
The Australian newspaper Thursday said a spokesman for Defense Minister Brendan Nelson said Australia was still deciding whether to purchase the aircraft or lease them, but a decision "will be made soon."
The deal for the F/A-18F Super Hornets is estimated to be worth about $3.1 billion. It includes radars, missile launchers and other equipment for the aircraft.
The price of the deal could lead to the government rejiggling its 10-year capital equipment plan which is already facing strain from development of new destroyers and the buying of other equipment.
